Battery recycling network (six operating sites) by Cirba Solutions: status and timeline

Battery recycling network (six operating sites)

Recovers critical minerals (Ni, Co, Mn, Li) from end-of-life EV batteries via disassembly, black mass production, and chemical refining. CAM products meet battery maker specs.

DeployStage 4 of 5

Six facilities operating; 100% recycled CAM in GM EVs; South Carolina site in development.

Updated Sep 2026Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Lancaster, Ohio metal sulfate production facility expansion

Heritage, Retriev, Battery Solutions merge to form CirbaJun 2022Complete.
GM closed-loop recycling pilot begins2024Complete.
GM pilot produces 12 metric tons of 100% recycled CAMSep 2026Complete.
First EVs with Cirba-recycled materials roll off GM assembly linesSep 2026Complete.
Lancaster, Ohio metal sulfate production facility expansionTarget 2026Not yet reached.
South Carolina facility development beginsTarget 2026Not yet reached.

Most important, last 3 months

Upcoming

2026Lancaster, Ohio metal sulfate production facility expansion (next)
2026South Carolina facility development begins
2027South Carolina battery recycling facility development

Current obstacles

Scaling to match EV production rampEV sales growth is outpacing battery recycling capacity; Cirba must rapidly expand to handle future volumes.
Cost parity with primary miningVirgin nickel, cobalt and lithium prices fluctuate; recycling must remain competitive even when virgin prices are low.

Physics limits

Chemistry variation in incoming batteriesEV batteries vary widely in chemistry and condition, requiring flexible processing that adds cost and complexity.
Recovery losses in chemical processingConverting black mass to pure metal compounds involves dissolution and precipitation steps with inherent material losses.

How it works

3 parts

Sorting

Safe disassembly and separation

EV battery packs arrive and are safely disassembled to separate cells by chemistry, condition and state of charge.

Concentration

Black mass production

Cells undergo pyrolysis that strips casings and binders, leaving black mass with concentrated Ni, Co, Mn, Li.

Recovery

Metal extraction and cathode production

Black mass leached in acid, metals separated and precipitated as pure compounds including CAM for battery makers.

Spec sheet

Spec	Battery recycling network (six operating sites)
Operating facilities	6 across North America^R (reported)
Batteries processed in GM pilot	80 end-of-life EV battery packs^R (reported)
Recycled CAM produced in GM pilot	12 metric tons^R (reported)
Investment in Ohio expansion	$400 million^R (reported)
Metal sulfate capacity	enough for 250,000+ EV batteries annually^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

2 updates

Sep 2026

Major: First mass-production EVs using Cirba-recycled battery materials reach customersPressCommercial
Major: GM completes closed-loop EV battery recycling pilot with Cirba Solutions, producing 100% recycled cathode active materialPressTest

About Cirba Solutions

The team behind Battery recycling network (six operating sites)

Cirba Solutions

Battery recycling, critical minerals recovery

North America's largest battery recycling network with six operating facilities, recovering critical minerals from end-of-life EV batteries. Formed by merging Heritage Battery Recycling, Retriev Technologies and Battery Solutions.

Six operating facilities across North America (Michigan, Ohio, Arizona, California, BC); expanding to seventh site in South Carolina.
GM closed-loop pilot (Sept 2026): 80 EV batteries recycled into 12 tons of 100% recycled CAM in new Cadillacs, Chevys and GMCs.
Lancaster, Ohio facility expansion ($400M) producing battery-grade metal sulfates; South Carolina facility planned with $200M DOE award.

cirbasolutions.com (opens cirbasolutions.com)Company profile →

Founded: 20224 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Private
Valuation: private
Works in: MaterialsBattery recycling
Coverage: 1 program · 3 updateslatest 1 Sep 2026checked 10 Oct
Customers: General Motors (opens gm.com)
Partners: Ultium Cells (opens ultimcells.com)
People: David Klanecky (opens cirbasolutions.com)President and Chief Executive Officer

Spec

Battery recycling network (six operating sites)

Operating facilities

6 across North America^R (reported)

Batteries processed in GM pilot

80 end-of-life EV battery packs^R (reported)

Recycled CAM produced in GM pilot

12 metric tons^R (reported)

Investment in Ohio expansion

$400 million^R (reported)

Metal sulfate capacity

enough for 250,000+ EV batteries annually^R (reported)